Bellenden Belle

The Bishop has recently been sold to Greene King Pubs as part of the Capital chain so Scott may not wish to comment - I imagine it depends on what involvement he continues to have.

Mikandnik - I know my other half has said to me he will happily attend a dad's meet-up but that he doesn't want to organise it - 'we'll look like some strange spreadsheet family if I did'. Well done and thank you to Anna for organising The Actress meet -up - would a Jaegarbomb help with indigestion? I think my days of large suppers may be coming to an end, judging from the pains I experienced after dinner tonight. See you all tomorrow. C x

Bee74 - I think it's a great idea to sort out a regular meet up. Probably weekly, just because otherwise people might wonder if it's on or not. My gut feeling is that Green and Blue, with its table service, might not work on a regular basis - although we were made to feel welcome, there was a slight surprise from the waitress at how many of us were not drinking. A pub is at least a bit more relaxed in that sense. The Gowlett were lovely on the phone and mentioned they were usually quiet on a Tuesday - I know they have Lucky 7s on Thursdays. But obviously the location might not work for everyone on a regular basis - what do others think?

Hee hee....due n February you would think so Otta, wouldn't you? But apparently with waiting lists of eighteen months not uncommon, I am actually a little behind! Though when one nursery asked me a name I did reply "Blimey, I don't even know the sex yet - will Peanut do?" Thanks to every one for your replies so far....much appreciated and very reassuring.

Just wondering if anybody had experiences of sending their children to either of these and whether the two branches are vastly different. I know visitng them will probably make up my mind more than anything but it's always good to hear opinions. Many thanks Caroline

Ah I see Marmora Man. One thing I have done with documents before is email them to my kindle - I wonder if you downloaded a book to your pc, might you be able to email it to your kindle? There are details on amazon here http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200493090

Are you hoping to download books out of copyright Marmora Man? Or are we talking pirate copies here? Just out of interest.

I have no idea if this is a defined "developmental stage" but I definitely had same-sex crushes as a teenager and I think it was absolutely normal. Crushes are odd things - often they are just an enthusiastic admiration of someone - watching and looking at someone we'd rather like to be ourselves. What is absolutely fantastic about your post is that you say you're absolutely happy if he was. Make that clear and create a house where things can be discussed openly and you're giving him the best place to be, whatever his sexuality. I wonder if he has brought the subject himself? Nine is still young (though I imagine nine year olds are older than when I was that age) and I think it's useful to not make a huge thing about this, treating it with the same tenderness and possible humour, one would any junior-school crush - whilst treating any questions he has seriously and thoughtfully.

I think it is quite an eyesore but as Lordship Lane becomes more and more commercialised sadly there becomes less of an argument against such things. Unfortunately as precious as we may be, Lordship Lane isn't a particularly distinctive looking street so there is a harder case for preserving the "character of the area".

Hi Claire, Welcome and congratulations. I've added you to the list and it will be great to meet you on Tuesday. Missmack1981 - I hope no more disasters strike for you today. I have also had quite a few pregnancy "moments" - or at least that's what I'm blaming. The worst has to be a car slowing down in Camberwell last week to inform me my dress had ridden up past my bottom to around my waist without me noticing. The shame!

As a few new people have joined us, I thought I'd update "the list". Sadly I am also using this chance to make labels for our meeting next Tuesday - no one is obliged to wear them but with so many people (about 35 of us following this thread) thought some people might welcome them! Though I'm equally feeling rather embarrassed about the possible naffness of labels - so I shall leave discretely on the table and we can all decide if they are necessary on the night! Vixster250 (November) Mum2besoon M Early Dec Mothercourage Emma Early Dec (2nd child) Dragon99 Suzie Early Dec (2nd) Bee74 Barbara 16th Dec (2nd) LillyD Lindsay late Dec (2nd) Moominfilly (28Nov/4th Dec) (1st) Mooncake 22nd Dec (1st) Poppyshores H 23rd Dec (1st) Melanie 4th Jan (1st) Mrs MC Jan Jan 1st (2nd) Goldielab Steph Jan 13th (2nd) gingellico Jan 27th (2nd Missmack1981 Anna 15th Jan (2nd) Susan JVR Susan Jan (1st) Amydown 15th Jan (2nd) Mikandnik N 23rd Jan (1st) veryseriousgirl Victoria Late Jan (2nd) Pickle Pippa 31st Jan (3rd) JJSP Jane 1st Feb (2nd) Littlemoo R 2nd Feb (2nd) Espelli Elli 3rd Feb (1st) Tomo C 5th Feb (1st) Guest1 Caroline early Feb (2nd) Nabz 12th Feb (1st) Greidy Gem 12th Feb (2nd) KT4 Kate 13th Feb (1st) czosnck Di 14th Feb (1st) BellendenBelle 15th Feb (1st) MillyMoo Sal 18th Feb (1st) Jlai Julia 19th Feb (1st) Pinkhalf 24th Feb (1st) Clairelouise Claire 25th Feb (3rd) Midivydale C March HannahKT (2nd) If I've missed you off, or got something wrong, let me know and I will edit the list. And just to say that this list is really the brainchild of Missmack1981!

Come along. People's plans often change and so I am sure numbers won't get too out of control. If there's lots and lots of us we might think about having a regular weekly meeting in the future like the current Autumn group does - that way, people can just drop in if they're around, particularly come December when we all start popping! But for now, let's work on the basis of the more the merrier. I have reserved 16 spaces and will do a proper head count next week to firm up the reservation with the Gowlett.

Hi Moonminfilly,Firstly congratulations! There are lots of first timers in the Winter Babies Club and all of us are local.We've only met once so far and there are quite a few new faces coming to our next meeting. We are going to meet at 7pm at The Gowlett Pub on September 27th - please do come along. It serves fantastic pizzas if you want to eat - though just to warn you, I don't think they take cards at the moment, just cash. Hope you can make it. Bee74 - I am going to keep to the earlier meeting time, just because I personally would keel over if I waited to eat that late! But don't worry if you're late - we all stayed till past 10pm last time we met and a few people came long later and it wasn't a problem. Pickle - so glad you can make it! And I love your knitting - would urge people to check it out! Hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying your bumps - will be lovely to catch up with everyone. Caroline x

Ruth_Baldock Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The baby whisper riled me right up, erroneous > advice re: breastfeeding. We bumble along too, > Sebs as mad as a box of frogs but happy, as is Lex > (as far as I can tell...) so we must be doing > something right, I suppose. I have just finished Baby Whisperer (thanks Buggie!) and since I am just starting out with my first due in February I wondered Ruth which bits you didn't like about her take on breastfeeding. My novice take on it was that she wanted people to feel comfortable with their own choices - whether it be breastfeeding or bottle feeding - and to not be afraid to mix the two, or to feel a failure if breastfeeding doesn't work for them. Maybe I was just reading what I already believe! But if there's anything that you really think is questionable, I'd welcome the feedback.

Hi Vic, Congratulations! Of course you can join us! Our next meeting is on the 27th September at the Gowlett - come along! Caroline x

But must it be turkey D_C? Goose is much tastier, and you may get brownie points Moos for going off-piste? Having never cooked either perhaps others can say whether goose is indeed easier than turkey to cook? And you definitely should say yes to D_C's Xmas pudding. It's the pudding that beats even those who claim to hate Xmas pudding into submission.

Hi Jane, Welcome! Glad you can make the 27th - yes, I think we're going to try the Gowlett this time. Is 7pm still a good time for everyone? Or if people want to eat there as well, would people prefer me to try and book slightly earlier - perhaps 6.30pm? Open to suggestions.

Hear hear for StraferJack actually. Occasionally in recent weeks I couldn't help feeling PR has been using this forum as her own personal blog. Seriously - we get that you enjoyed your recent trip and enjoyed taking lots of photos, but posting them up here with a running commentary - and lots of people going "wow - thanks for sharing". Is that really appropriate for a community forum? It wasn't really a very inclusive activity, was it? There used to be a thread where lots of people posted a single photo or two that they'd taken - that's much more in keeping with the ethos of the forum. Rather than me saying - ooooh, I've been on holiday - would the people of East Dulwich like to see my snaps. Gosh - I think twice before inflicting my holiday snaps on family and friends. Not to mention the fact this forum really can't afford the space such photos use up. Get a blog - those generally interested will follow.

Definitely interested -I am sure my lovely mother in law would like to meet other grandparents when our one arrives next year - and it would give me a couple of hours off! Great idea.

SLA is the one Jimbo is mentioning - do I eat a lot of pizza? It's a fairly average offering - nothing to criticise, nothing to get excited about. Except its name of course....SLA? Stands for Sophie Loren's finest asset - a huge poster of which can be seen in the restaurant.

The Gowlett - though not strictly SE22 - wins hand down for me. Wood fired pizza which are consistently spot on. The Actress pizzas on North Cross Road are decent and also come in handy slices if just a bit peckish. Their flavours are more adventurous than some - for example potato and rosemary. Il Mirto on Melbourne Grove is also good - cheapest in town too - though not as consistent as some.

Hello ladies, Great to see new people joining still - and practically a full house for our next meeting. I'll contact the Gowlett with numbers closer the time. Nic - I think you'll find out about the meeting here: http://www.slingmeet.co.uk/ Talking of slings, I'm dragging my other half away from the Drawing Room to go here: http://www.borndirect.com/ It seemed to have an amazing selection of slings to try on - as well as being perhaps the most middle-class "yummy mummy" shop in the world! Has anyone been?

We would be interested in a couple of places as well - please keep us updated.

Moos Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Giggled at your last line, Otta, as I was > considering asking whether this was a special > thread for Strafer and Carnelli... I can reveal that Carnelli is quite partial to a family size M&S cottage pie washed down by a bottle of red wine when left to his own devices. I, on the hand, rather like M&S's spinach and ricotta cannelloni. Ah, if only there was an M&S nearby.....

Just to say what an absolutely lovely night I had - it was great we had such a good turnout, with people expecting at all different times along the three months. And it was so good to put faces to names - I think I remember everyone's names up to Tomo and MissMack1981 - but the other end of the table gets a little more hazy! If it helps others - I was sat next to Anna (MissMack1981) on one side and Nicky of micandnic on the other. I'm happy to organise another night - it will be great to see how every one's bump is coming on. Perhaps Tuesday September 27th? Would people like to go to Green and Blue again or try somewhere else? Tha Mag sprung to mind as somewhere not too busy as an alternative or The Gowlett which does great pizzas (some people mentioned a yearning for them last night) and is likely to be quite quiet early in the week. Would welcome any other suggestions too. Naturally any newcomers or people who couldn't make it last night are also more than welcome to join us.